The focus of this theme will be on new science to capitalise on the potential advances that reside at the intersections between tectonics, geology, geophysics and geochemistry, through integration enabled by the new advances in data modelling and visualisation. Outputs from the other four themes will be analysed, evaluated and integrated with the aim of optimising targeting and prospectivity information across a wide range of scales, and understanding the associated exploration risks. The resulting targeting tools will be principally directed towards achieving an emphatic improvement in the risk : reward ratio of exploration in covered terranes.

Issues and Challenges

Outputs from the other four research themes can only achieve their full potential through integration across the continuum of scales that apply to the geological factors influencing the timing, location, scale, form and subsequent modification of mineralised systems. The distillation of the resulting databases into practical targeting tools with the potential to achieve the Centre’s objectives is a significant challenge. Another challenge will be to provide outputs that will meet the differing needs of a diverse exploration industry. The third significant challenge is to adapt targeting tools developed in mature, data-rich terranes to data-poor and covered terranes.

Outputs, Outcomes and Strategies

Outputs will include the following:

• Practical tools to target orogenic and intrusion-related gold, sulphide nickel, high grade, low P, BIF-hosted iron ore and iron oxide copper-gold deposits, at scales ranging from near mine to global.
• Practical tools to assess the progressive changes in risk and value as exploration technologies are applied to the testing of integrated targets.
• Recommendations for optimum densities of exploration data acquisition according to target type.
• Results from the simulation of integrated targeting and testing in data-rich terranes.
• Graduates trained in the principles of integrated targeting.

These outputs are expected to deliver direct, substantial benefits to industry. Better target selection should increase the value of exploration through increasing the rate of discovery of new deposits. Assessing progressive changes in risk and value should independently increase the cost-effectiveness of exploration. The resulting two-factor improvement in the risk : reward ratio, combined with practical tools and language to address risk and value, should do much to restore industry confidence in mineral exploration as a value-creating investment.

The following strategies will be applied to achieving key outputs:

• Access and analyse industry case studies as important inputs into the development of tools for improved targeting and testing, and determining progressive risk and value.
• Work closely with pmd*CRC (through ESMG) and Fractal, to evaluate and strengthen outputs by the application of computational modelling and visualisation technologies.
• Consolidate the knowledge generated by the other four themes into practical software outputs that take account of the diverse nature of the exploration industry and differing company needs and capacities, for example, small companies versus large companies, and Brownfields versus Greenfields emphasis.
• Identify those data attributes that will deliver the most effective targeting outcomes from the least amount of data with the aim of applying them to Greenfields Exploration in data-poor terranes and also reducing exploration costs.

Actions and Resources

Integrated outputs from the other four research themes will be analysed by GIS-based techniques (2D and 3D) to develop targeting and prospectivity information, suited to digital and map products for the different types of deposits referred to above. The application of computational modelling technology through ESMG, and data management and visualisation technologies, such as FracSIS, is expected to guide the accuracy of targeting and identify uncertainties that can be resolved by data collection, or better accommodated in risk modelling.

The results will be tested against successful exploration programs and also subjected to simulated, empirical testing in mature, data-rich terranes to build industry confidence. The aim is to deliver practical, integrated outputs for targeting, testing and the measurement of progressive risk and value. Successful outcomes in data-rich terranes will enable definition of the minimum exploration data required for effective targeting in data-poor terranes. The timing of initial outputs will be determined by progress with the other four themes.

It is anticipated that around 15% of the Centre’s resources will be devoted to this theme, under the leadership of the Centre’s Director.

Possible projects

• Apply GIS-based techniques in data-rich terranes to statistically define critical geological, geochemical and geophysical parameters associated with different ore deposit styles.
• Integrate critical parameters into composite targeting attributes and models that can be visualised across a range of scales in 2D and 3D; identify the associated risks and uncertainties.
• Apply fractal analysis to integrated geological and geophysical data sets in mineralised terranes to map prospectivity.
• Identify the critical data sets required for effective exploration in data-poor terranes, and the associated risks.
• Develop practical, user-friendly targeting software suited to across-industry use in a desktop computing mode.